Friday, November 28, 2014

Something like these fabrics, placed where you can see them while stitching, help train your eye.

Let's talk a little bit about machine quilting designs. I prefer machine quilting designs done without a pattern,
stencil, or template. It's a style that is personal to each individual,
much like handwriting. No matter, training the eye, mind and hand to
work together in order to coordinate your muscles to express and control
your own personal style takes practice. You see, you must synchronize
the speed of the machine with the speed in which you are moving the
quilt under the presser foot to achieve a good visual.

Practice, Practice, and more Practice will improve your ability to master machine quilting designs whether it is free-motion quilting, continuous line quilting or hand quilting.

I love to look at the details. There is so much to be learned from the. The creative women that came before us imagined some wonderful things. I remember Easter dresses my mother made for my sister and I one year. White organdy with hundreds of yellow flowers with bead centers all along the hem. I loved that dress!

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated as a day of giving thanks for the
blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. The Thanksgiving
holiday's history in North America is rooted in English traditions
dating from the Protestant Reformation. It also has aspects of a harvest
festival, even though the harvest in New England occurs well before the
late-November date on which the modern Thanksgiving holiday is
celebrated.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

I love playing with thread. Yesterday I tried something new from Superior Threads. Designed with award-winning quilter Jane Sassaman, Sew Sassy is a creative quilter's dream thread. Available in 50 bold, bright solid colors, Sew Sassy is a great thread choice for projects where you want to see the stitching from across the room!
12 wt./3-ply Spun Polyester thread.
Available in 50 bright, bold solid colors.

Friday, November 21, 2014

On my way home, I had a chance to check out the art in Terminal 3. As always it was beautiful!

Renowned British studio potter Bernard Leach once acknowledged that Korean potters are admired for their naturalism and spontaneity in creating ceramics. Scholars have attempted to define the beauty of Korean ceramics as “artless art” or “unplanned plan.” Indeed, Korean ceramics have been produced by the second nature of matured, skilled hands, sometimes transcending any rules, knowledge, and intentions.

Renowned
British studio potter Bernard Leach once acknowledged that Korean
potters are admired for their naturalism and spontaneity in creating
ceramics. Scholars have attempted to define the beauty of Korean
ceramics as “artless art” or “unplanned plan.” Indeed, Korean ceramics
have been produced by the second nature of matured, skilled hands,
sometimes transcending any rules, knowledge, and intentions. - See more
at:
http://www.flysfo.com/museum/exhibitions/dual-natures-ceramics-eight-contemporary-artists-korea#sthash.6GYnLbZJ.dpuf

Renowned
British studio potter Bernard Leach once acknowledged that Korean
potters are admired for their naturalism and spontaneity in creating
ceramics. Scholars have attempted to define the beauty of Korean
ceramics as “artless art” or “unplanned plan.” Indeed, Korean ceramics
have been produced by the second nature of matured, skilled hands,
sometimes transcending any rules, knowledge, and intentions. - See more
at:
http://www.flysfo.com/museum/exhibitions/dual-natures-ceramics-eight-contemporary-artists-korea#sthash.6GYnLbZJ.dpuf

Renowned
British studio potter Bernard Leach once acknowledged that Korean
potters are admired for their naturalism and spontaneity in creating
ceramics. Scholars have attempted to define the beauty of Korean
ceramics as “artless art” or “unplanned plan.” Indeed, Korean ceramics
have been produced by the second nature of matured, skilled hands,
sometimes transcending any rules, knowledge, and intentions. - See more
at:
http://www.flysfo.com/museum/exhibitions/dual-natures-ceramics-eight-contemporary-artists-korea#sthash.6GYnLbZJ.dpuf

Renowned
British studio potter Bernard Leach once acknowledged that Korean
potters are admired for their naturalism and spontaneity in creating
ceramics. Scholars have attempted to define the beauty of Korean
ceramics as “artless art” or “unplanned plan.” Indeed, Korean ceramics
have been produced by the second nature of matured, skilled hands,
sometimes transcending any rules, knowledge, and intentions. - See more
at:
http://www.flysfo.com/museum/exhibitions/dual-natures-ceramics-eight-contemporary-artists-korea#sthash.6GYnLbZJ.dpuf

Renowned
British studio potter Bernard Leach once acknowledged that Korean
potters are admired for their naturalism and spontaneity in creating
ceramics. Scholars have attempted to define the beauty of Korean
ceramics as “artless art” or “unplanned plan.” Indeed, Korean ceramics
have been produced by the second nature of matured, skilled hands,
sometimes transcending any rules, knowledge, and intentions. - See more
at:
http://www.flysfo.com/museum/exhibitions/dual-natures-ceramics-eight-contemporary-artists-korea#sthash.6GYnLbZJ.dpuf

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Learn all about applying paint sticks and foil
to cotton or silk quilts and clothing. Come explore lots of different ways to
creatively apply these fun and permanent mediums to your own projects in this
casual, hands-on workshop.

Bi-Annual Quilt ShowThe SCVQA Quilt Show is a members only show presented every other year.

Block PartyParticipation in Block Party involves creating the block presented at the meeting and bringing it to the next meeting. A drawing is held for the collection of blocks. If there are enough blocks, there are multiple winners.

BoutiqueBooks, fabric, magazines and notions are for sale in the lobby before the meeting and in the break between the meeting and the speaker's presentation.

Fat Quarter FrenzyTo participate, members bring in a fat quarter that fits the theme for the month. A drawing is held. The winners receive a portion of the fat quarters collected.

In Town RetreatsSewing retreats are held locally for members to get together and sew for a weekend in a group setting.

Marin RetreatsSewing retreats are held in scenic Marin for members to get together and sew for a weekend in a group setting.

Opportunity QuiltsOpportunity Quilts are made by SCVQA members. The proceeds from this opportunity quilt are given to SCVQA.

PhilanthropySCVQA members enjoy giving back to the community. Quilts and blankets are made by members and donated to those in need.

Quilting 101Quilting 101 is a tutorial offered by members of SCVQA to help new and experienced members to become more familiar with a variety of quilting techniques. It is not associated with regular classes or visiting teachers.

Quilt 'til you WiltOne Saturday a month, members have the opportunity to get together for a mini retreat to sew together for the day and finish some of those UFO's.

Round RobinGroups form intermittently to participate in round robin challenges in which quilt centers are handed off to each participant for their contribution to the quilt top.

Friday, November 14, 2014

On Tuesday November 18th from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., I will teach the Simple Surfaces workshop. Come and play with different surface embellishing techniques in this fun class! In addition to the class fee, there will be a kit fee of $30 that includes foil, adhesive, and paint sticks.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Condition concerns come into play with most any handbag from any era, even the Lucite box purses of the '50s. These wonderful geometric bags made from hard plastic are durable, but not entirely indestructible. If not treated kindly, they are prone to cracking, scratching and discoloration from spilled beauty products, even though they're made of plastic.

For everyday functionality, shoppers wanting a vintage look that wears well should look for larger, more durable handbags dating from the 1940s, '50s, and '60s. These retro and vintage bags can add dramatic flare to a wardrobe without putting a sizable dent in your wallet.

Many stylish leather, velvet and cloth bags can be purchased for less than $25 apiece at antique shops, flea markets and vintage clothing stores. Some of these bags cost nearly as much when they were new decades ago offering great quality for the price. Look for examples decorated with intricate stonework and painting, like those made by Enid Collins, whimsical needlepoint, and other colorful décor to make a unique fashion statement.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Cotton Pickins' Quilts & Bernina is one of the best premier quilt shops in
the Seattle area! In 2005, they were chosen from American Patchwork and
Quilting as one of the Top 10 Quilt Stores in the country.

The staff is helpful, knowledgeable
and friendly!

The store
specializes in a wonderful selection of quilting notions, books,
patterns, kits and special gifts.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

The focus of each meeting is an educational program,
which features a guest speaker. Immediately following the meeting is a great show and tell!

A charter member's first quilt, made 77 years ago.

Her last quilt at 95, and still going strong!

The workshop... Fast FinishesFirst we learn
to join pre-quilted blocks using several innovative techniques. Fast finishing concludes with
super-fast binding. Is binding the quilt your least favorite part?
Bindings and piping are a snap with this no-fail completely
machine-stitched method. Binding
will never be the same again!

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Create stunning purses that can be finished in
practically no time. Make your own in class, embellish it with trims, ribbons,
buttons, bows, lace, fabric, found objects and then dive into the wonderful
world of beads! Kit choices are: purple, blue and green. We will learn what beads to buy, how to sew them and how to make your
own lavish beaded dangles and fringes.

My quilts are colorful, graphic, vibrant and joyful!! I use color and texture to explore the glories of nature. Realism or abstraction, are used as best fits a theme or concept. I enjoy the challenge and excitement of translating my vision into quilts through a rich variety of fabrics, gilding and embellishment.
I find such joy in being able to express myself through quilting, that I'm not comfortable without a needle in my hand. Quilting is my life's work and a wonderful one at that.
The best quilt is always the next one.